Violent crime, such as kidnapping and murder, is common throughout Somalia, including Puntland and Somaliland. Illegal roadblocks are also widespread.

A number of schools acting as “cultural rehabilitation” facilities are operating throughout Somalia with unknown licensing and oversight. Reports of physical abuse and people being held against their will in these facilities are common.

Terrorists continue to plot kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in Somalia. They may conduct attacks with little or no warning, targeting airports and seaports, government buildings, hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and other areas where large crowds gather and Westerners frequent, as well as government, military, and Western convoys.

Pirates are active in the waters off the Horn of Africa, especially in the international waters near Somalia.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Somalia due to the lack of permanent consular presence in Somalia.

Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs, if you are unable to return as planned to the United States. Find a suggested list of such documents here.

Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization, or consider consulting with a professional security organization.

Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization so that they can monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. This plan should specify who you would contact first, and how they should share the information.

Identify key sources of possible assistance for you and your family in case of emergency, such as the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, FBI, the State Department, your employer (if traveling on business), and local friends/family in the high-risk area.

Be sure to appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact with hostage-takers, media, U.S. and host country government agencies, and Members of Congress, if you are taken hostage or detained.

Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones can know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax)

Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them.

Erase any sensitive photos, comments, or other materials from your social media pages, cameras, laptops, and other electronic devices that could be considered controversial or provocative by local groups.

The U.S. government cannot provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Somalia. You will have to rely on your own resources or journey to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in an emergency.

Terrorist organizations and armed groups in Somalia attack government authorities and facilities, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) personnel and bases, and civilian and non-governmental targets, including, but not limited to: hotels, restaurants, airports, seaports, and shopping areas. Inter-clan and factional violence is also a regular occurrence throughout Somalia.

Al-Shabaab, an al-Qa’ida-affiliated foreign terrorist organization based in Somalia, has repeatedly attacked the Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ) and other locations in Somalia with mortars and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. In October 2017, the group detonated multiple bombs in the Zobe district of Mogadishu, killing more than 500 people in what is believed to be the single deadliest attack of their history in Somalia. In February 2016, terrorist operatives detonated an explosive device concealed in a laptop on a commercial flight shortly after take-off.

Protests and civil unrest occur regularly throughout the country, including in the capital, often without advanced warning and sometimes turning violent. U.S. citizens should:

Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.

Not display cash and valuable personal property.

Dress conservatively.

Carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa. Keep original documents in a secure location.

Somalia - Kenya border: Cross-border violence occurs periodically, ranging from large-scale attacks attributed to al-Shabaab against civilians, government security forces and/or AMISOM troops, to kidnappings, improvised explosive devices, and grenade attacks targeting international aid workers and civilians. Al-Shabaab actively operates in border areas, including Lamu and Wajir counties of Kenya. In February 2018, al-Shabaab killed two teachers and injured another during an attack at a primary school. In January, after raiding a security outpost and killing five Kenyan security officers, al-Shabaab destroyed the only communications tower in the county.

Precautions:

Avoid demonstrations and use vigilance during your movements around the country. Even events intended to be peaceful can become violent.

Victims of Crime: Somali authorities have limited capacity and resources to investigate and prosecute criminal activity. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault or domestic violence should contact the U.S. Embassy in Kenya for assistance.

Report crimes to the local police nearest to you and contact the U.S. Embassy in Kenya at (+254) (20) 363-6451. The emergency number in Mogadishu is 888.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. You may be taken in for questioning by the police if unable to produce an acceptable form of identification. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs result in long prison sentences and heavy fines.

Locally established courts operate under a combination of Somali customary and Islamic Shari'a law, some of which may be hostile towards foreigners.

Arrest Notifications: If arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy in Kenya immediately. Such notification is unlikely. The U.S. Government’s ability to provide consular services is severely restricted as a result of ongoing security concerns. Furthermore, dual U.S. - Somali citizens are recognized as Somali citizens by authorities which impedes our ability to provide any consular assistance. See our webpage for further information.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Water, health, and electricity systems are poor.

Photography: It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and key infrastructure such as airports and border controls. You could be detained or arrested, fined, and have your equipment confiscated. Do not take photos of people without their permission.

Phone Service: Cellular phones are used extensively. SIM cards can be purchased locally and used with a compatible cell phone.

Currency: The Somali shilling is the unit of currency except in Somaliland, which uses the Somaliland shilling. U.S. dollars are accepted. You are advised against using your credit card in Somalia, even if accepted. It is not possible to obtain currency advances against a credit card. Credit cards and traveler's checks are generally not accepted, and there are only a very limited number of ATMs in Mogadishu.

LGBTI Travelers: Same-sex sexual contact is punishable by imprisonment from three months to three years. Antidiscrimination provisions do not apply to LGBTI individuals. Society considers sexual orientation a taboo topic, and so there is no known public discussion of this issue in any region. Severe societal stigma typically prevents LGBTI individuals from making their sexual orientation publicly known.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Access to transportation, lodging, and public buildings is limited. There are few sidewalks and no curb-cuts, and most buildings lack functioning elevators.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips. We are aware of allegations that some boarding schools in Somalia engage in abusive practices such as corporal punishment, physical restraint, and confiscation of travel documents.

Youths: We are aware of cases of forced marriage. Some facilities involved in “cultural rehabilitation” (“dhaqan celis,” meaning “returning to Somali culture”) engage in abusive practices such as corporal punishment, physical restraint, and confiscation of travel documents.

Women Travelers: There are no laws against spousal violence, including rape. There are documented patterns of rape perpetrated with impunity, particularly of displaced women and members of minority clans. Authorities rarely use formal structures to address rape. Survivors suffer from subsequent discrimination based on the attribution of “impurity.” Domestic and sexual violence against women remain serious problems despite the provisional federal constitution provision prohibiting any form of violence against women.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): Although the provisional federal constitution prohibits the circumcision of girls, FGM/C is almost universally practiced throughout the country. Up to 98 percent of women and girls have reportedly undergone FGM/C, primarily between the ages of 5-14 years.

Medical care and services are extremely limited. Medicines are in short supply and many pharmacies stock ineffective or counterfeit medications. Most care providers expect payment in U.S. dollars/Somali shillings prior to treatment.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Malaria is endemic. Use CDC recommended mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR-3535. Sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets. Chemoprophylaxis is strongly recommended for all travelers, even for short stays.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Somalia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.